Optimization of Synthesis Parameters to Obtain NbB2 Nanopowder at Low Temperature

Abstract

Transition metal borides (TMBs) are mostly used in industrial applications, due to their high melting points, good mechanical properties (hardness, Young’s modulus), chemical stability, and thermal stability. Among all the TMBs, niobium di-boride (NbB2) has high wear resistance, chemically stability and oxidation resistance. NbB2 has been prepared by reacting niobium pent-oxide (Nb2O5), metallic magnesium (Mg) and borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O) at 8000C in specially designed autoclave. The synthesized powder samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallographic features. The broadening of XRD diffraction peaks corresponding to NbB2 is analysed by using Williamson-Hall (W-H) analysis to calculate strain, stress, strain energy density for all the samples and Thermal stability of synthesized single phase NbB2 was determined by TGA/DSC analysis. Moreover, Morphological observations suggested the formation of nano NbB2 rods by joining NbB2 nanoparticles with a fine coating.